Lisa Spirling

LISA SPIRLING | Director

Lisa Spirling has been Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Theatre503 since 2016. She is Creative Associate at Eleanor Lloyd Productions. Previously she was the coordinator of the JMK Trust Regional Director’s Program and a founder of Buckle for Dust Theatre Company.

Under Lisa’s leadership, Theatre503 launched the careers of leading contemporary playwrights including Yasmin Joseph, Ross Willis, Mahad Ali, Zak Zarafshan, Roxy Cook, Nia Akilah Robinson, Matilde Dratwa, Andrew Thompson, John Webber, Danusia Samal, Safaa Benson-Effiom, and Gillian Greer; alongside supporting emerging directors including Kalungi Ssebandeke, Jade Lewis, Anastasia Osei-Kuffour, Rebekah Murrell, Josh Roche, and Roy Alexander Weise, among many others.

During Lisa’s tenure, Theatre503 has been recognised by the Olivier Awards, Evening Standard Theatre Awards, The Stage Awards and the Offies, and was named London Pub Theatre of the Year 2023. Lisa has spearheaded a period of innovation and growth that has transformed the organisation and led to the securing of 503’s sustainable future. This has included creating new income streams through an Online Writers Programme; the eradication of hire fees for incoming productions; the establishment of the Theatre503 Slate (a philanthropic co-producing strand transforming how its shows are funded); and securing the lease for the 503Studio at Nine Elms, which will create a world-class centre of playwriting excellence.

Her productions for Theatre503 include: The Boys Are Kissing by Zak Zarafshan, Wolfie by Ross Willis; Milk and Gall by Mathilde Dratwal; and In Event of Moone Disaster by Andrew Thompson.

Other credits include: Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial (West End); Describe The Night by Rajiv Joseph, Ken by Terry Johnson, Pine by Jacqui Honess-Martin, Deposit by Matt Hartley, Fault Lines by Ali Taylor, I Know How I Feel About Eve by Colette Kane (Hampstead Theatre); Jumpy by April De Angelis (Theatr Clwyd); Donkeys’ Years and Here by Michael Frayn (Rose Theatre); Hundreds & Thousands by Louise Ramsden (Buckle For Dust/English Touring Theatre /Soho Theatre); Cotton Wool by Ali Taylor (Buckle for Dust/Theatre503).